On Saturday, December 13, Saint Lucia’s junior football players showcased their talent during the island’s National Day holiday, with a focus on the highly anticipated SLFA Inc. inaugural Under-10 District League finals held at the Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, Dennery.
Mabouya Valley dominated the match, decisively defeating Marchand with a 4-0 victory. The home team demonstrated their superiority from the very beginning, executing precise plays and effective inter-passing that left Marchand struggling to find their footing.
Prolific goal scorer Zakim Francois delivered a standout performance, netting two goals in the 4th and 54th minutes. Additionally, Mikeige Fenelon scored in the 2nd minute, while Leyantus John added another in the 9th minute, cementing Mabouya Valley’s triumph.
In the Third Place playoffs, Desruisseaux staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming Canaries 3-2 in a fierce contest. Thomas Charles was instrumental for Desruisseaux, scoring two goals in the 25th and 35th minutes, alongside Anil Jules’s pivotal goal in the 15th minute.
Canaries put up a fight, with goals from Ken Alexander in the 7th minute and Kyron Beckford in the 10th minute. During the post-match awards, SLFA’s events coordinator, Michael “Midget” Pierre, praised the young athletes for their determination and enthusiasm for the game.
The awards were presented as follows:
– Mabouya Valley: Championship Trophy and gold medals.
-Marchand: Runners Up Trophy and silver medals.
– Desruisseaux: Third-place trophy and bronze medals.
Mabouya Valley’s Zakim Francois emerged as the tournament’s leading goal scorer, amassing seven goals, which included one hat trick and two braces.
In addition, the SLFA Inc. Girls Under 15 District League competition also took place on December 13 at the Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, Dennery, featuring wins for Anse La Raye, Soufriere, and Canaries.
Anse La Raye defeated Dennery 2-1, with Akayla Sam scoring two goals in the 29th and 57th minutes after Faye Alphonse had opened the scoring for Dennery in the 2nd minute.
Soufriere showcased their dominance with a hat trick from standout player Janai Prevost, who scored in the 5th, 31st, and 40th minutes to lead her team to a 3-0 victory over Desruisseaux.
Canaries also had an impressive performance, defeating Vieux Fort North & South combined 5-1, with Daria Tisson scoring a hat trick in the 24th, 34th, and 36th minutes, Kayla Toussaint adding a goal in the 3rd minute, and Maliah Stephen contributing an own goal in the 55th minute. Vieux Fort North & South combined managed to get one goal through Nya Joseph in the 40th minute.
This event highlighted the skill and determination of Saint Lucia’s youth in football, setting the stage for future talents.
R.A.